Classic literature in the modern world. The importance of spiritual literature in human life

Essay on the topic “Literature in human life.” 4.74 /5 (94.76%) 42 votes

Since childhood, we have been accompanied by various literary works: fairy tales, riddles, stories, poems, novels, plays and so on. All of them play a huge role in the development of a person. Even at an early age, literary works lay in us the basic moral principles and norms. Fairy tales, riddles, parables and jokes teach us to value friendship, do good, not offend the weak, respect our parents, and think about our actions. All this is stated accessible language language for children, so they remember it quickly and easily. That is why the role of literature and books, in general, in human life is enormous. They not only participate in the formation of a person, but constitute a major part of the moral education of each of us.

During the study school literature, we not only learn new authors, new works, new movements, but also become closer to literature so much that it becomes an integral part of us. The famous teacher V.P. Ostrogorsky said: “A correctly and widely educated general aesthetic mood elevates and ennobles a person through the noblest pleasure, which becomes a need. It makes his whole life attractive and interesting, revealing in it, in nature, in man, a beautiful existence that he had never suspected before... Thus, this feeling, suppressing egoism in us, takes us out of the daily circle of everyday life, into At the same time, awakening to bring thought and goodness into this everyday life, it leads into broad communication with nature, society, homeland, humanity... Yet all this, taken together, i.e. all these aesthetic relationships to oneself, nature, people, art, society, and create a special spiritual world with oneself, then a good mood, then unity with the world, then a constant desire for spiritual beauty, for serving the common good, for honest work and the fight against evil - in a word, that alone has constituted human happiness at all times.”
In my opinion, these words very deeply and vividly reflect the role of literature and art, in general, in human life. Books teach us to love those around us and give us real human happiness. That is why people who read books and love literature can feel all the delights of the world around us: see the beauty of nature, love and be loved. In addition, thanks to literature, our vocabulary is replenished and our spiritual world is enriched.
Based on the above, we can conclude that literature is very important in a person’s life: it influences our worldview. Shapes our inner world, enriches our speech. That is why we must read, love and respect the book as much as possible, because without it our world will be gray and empty. The importance of spiritual literature in human life

(Report by the head of the Department of Religious Education and Catechesis of the Yaroslavl Metropolis, Archpriest Pavel Rakhlin, at the section “The Role of Spiritual Literature of the Yaroslavl Region in the Formation of the Spiritual and Moral Culture of the Individual”)
Man cannot live by bread alone,

but with every word of God.

(Gospel of Luke; 4.4)

The importance of books in the life of every person and society as a whole cannot be overestimated. A book as a source of knowledge and experience can seriously influence a person’s worldview, giving rise to deep feelings in the human soul and prompting him to serious reflection.

But the power and influence of the book is much greater than it might seem at first glance. Any book is not just a passive collection of information, but first of all a certain view of reality belonging to the author of the book: he forms in his mind certain ideas about the world, knowledge, skills and, passing on this knowledge and skills, shares his thoughts, his experience with others. And if we take into account that the content of the book, resonating with the reader’s thoughts, affects not only his mind, but also his soul, then the significance of the Orthodox book as spiritual literature in modern world plays a special role in the cultural, spiritual and moral life of society.

Classical, and primarily Russian, literature can, of course, become a bridge to spiritual literature. Here it is appropriate to recall that Orthodoxy and Christianity in general played one of the main, if not the main role in the development of Russian literature.

Baptism Ancient Rus' gave the Russian people both writing and literature (literature). This historical coincidence determined the exceptional significance and high authority of Russian literature in the spiritual life of the people and the state. Compiled by Byzantine monks - the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers Cyril and Methodius - the Cyrillic alphabet quickly spread throughout the territory Eastern Slavs. But Saints Cyril and Methodius gave Russia not only a written language, but also translated into Church Slavonic the books necessary for worship: the Gospel, the Apostle, the Psalter. These books played a big role in developing the character of Russian people.

Due to data historical events all Russian classical literature imbued with the light of the lofty truths of Orthodoxy. She is a keeper and an exponent Christian values and Christian view of the world. In the works of great Russian writers and poets, the reader is often asked questions that only religion can answer. Being art, having the most powerful power emotional impact, literature, when posing these questions, addresses not only the mind, but also the heart of the reader. For many people, the relevance of theological issues became obvious thanks to Russian classical literature.

However, in order for a person to understand the truth about himself, he needs to read spiritual literature - and above all the Holy Gospel and patristic works. It is in these books, according to the inspired confession of the Orthodox spiritual writer and philosopher N.E. Pestova “As in a precious vessel, the truth is gathered up most of all. Whoever wants the sanctification of his soul, the purification of his heart and the enlightenment of his mind must cling with greedy lips to this vessel in order to constantly feed himself with the truth.”(N.E. Pestov, “Modern practice of Orthodox piety”, volume two).

According to one of the greatest holy ascetics of the 19th century, Bishop Theophan the Recluse “Without reading it’s stuffy and the soul is starving”. He also made the following remark: “You cannot find and buy the Kingdom of Heaven, future joys and eternal peace with anything other than with this thing. This is reading in private and listening with attention and diligence to the word of God, the writings of the Fathers and other soul-helping books. No one can be saved if he does not read or listen to the holy soul-saving writings. Just as a bird without wings cannot fly to a height, so a mind without holy books cannot figure out how to be saved.”(The Testament of St. Theophan the Recluse on reading the writings of the fathers and other soul-helping (holy) books).

Spiritual books are best friends person, his leaders, educators and mentors. They need to be read, re-read, studied. In such books, we discover the invaluable experience of saints - carriers of the Holy Spirit of God, heroes of spirit, conscience and perseverance.

A person who studies spiritual literature and applies its truths in his personal life opens up, as it were, a third dimension of the world. He begins to look at the world around him from the point of view of good and evil and thus sees another, previously vaguely discernible side of life. The understanding of the reasons for actions – both one’s own and other people’s – and the impact of their consequences on a person’s life and on his environment is becoming increasingly clear. Therefore, a good spiritual library at all times has been the most valuable treasure on earth, for the acquisition of which thinking people spared neither money nor time.

Today, spiritual literature is available to anyone who wants to turn to it. There are no obstacles to receiving the priceless treasure of the grace-filled spiritual experience of the saints of the Orthodox Church.

However, it should be remembered that it is impossible to perform the miracle of complete transformation by reading spiritual literature alone. human soul, because by reading spiritual books without applying what is learned from them in life, one creates self-deception that spiritual growth has begun. Spiritual life is replaced by imagination, "since knowledge of truth is not the same as knowledge of truth".

In conclusion, let us again cite the words of N.E. Pestov, written by him about the treasure of truth contained in spiritual books:

“Truth - good and joyful - is the food of the soul, without it the soul dies. The soul needs invigorating, warming, elevating and inspiring thoughts.

It is good for those who know how to constantly nourish themselves with them. It is easy to live with them, with them it is easy to overcome all temptations, the attacks of melancholy, despondency, laziness and negligence.

At the same time, deeply perceived truth cannot remain inactive: it forces not only to think differently, but also to live differently.”

The role of literature in human life is difficult to assess. Books have educated more than one generation of people. Unfortunately, in modern society the role of literature is underestimated. There is a category of people who declare that literature has outlived its usefulness as an art form, it has been replaced by cinema and television. But there remains that category of people who recognize and appreciate the importance of literature in our lives.
As you know, books perform two main functions: informational and aesthetic. From generation to generation, it was with the help of books that experience accumulated over centuries was passed on; knowledge was stored in books and discoveries were recorded.
Books provided a platform for the proclamation of new ideas and worldviews. In difficult times life situations a person resorts to a book and draws wisdom, strength and inspiration from it. After all, the book is universal, in it a person can find the answer to any question of interest.
Realizing its aesthetic function, literature teaches the beautiful, the good, and forms moral principles. Books form not only moral ideals, but also ideals of appearance and behavior. Heroines and heroes of books become role models. Their images and thoughts are taken as the basis for their own behavior. Therefore, it is so important, during the period of personality formation, to turn to the right books that will give the right guidelines.
Throughout its centuries-long history, our people have created highly artistic literature. It has a worthy place in world culture.
Fiction has a huge socio-political, educational and educational role, because it presents the history of the entire people, their struggle for their will, for their successful and happy life, for the battle against national as well as social oppression.
Literature honestly and fairly reflects social reality: different periods of the life of the entire people, the aspirations and, of course, the hopes of people.
Fiction is a type of art that is the most powerful means of human knowledge, a tool that influences current reality. Literature shapes the human mind, his will and psyche, his feelings and human strong character, namely, it shapes a person’s personality.
The creator of literature summarizes various life events and phenomena, then builds typical images, and at the same time shows his personal attitude to these events or incidents. The significance of a writer and his work, and, consequently, literature is reflected in how truthfully and correctly the interests and dreams of people are reflected and expressed. Artistic creativity intended to serve the people. In literary works we get to know the past, present and, of course, see the future dreams of a person. In the imagination begin to form newest concepts, a hitherto unknown feeling is born in the depths of my soul. And we perceive only literary works and works first of all with our hearts, and then with our practical mind and common sense.
Literature is based on humanistic views and beliefs, and approves of imperishable and eternal universal human values. This is precisely why it is close, very necessary and simply necessary for humanity. Writers and creators of literature, in works completely different in their genre, reflect diverse segments of the population, reveal talent and gift common man, glorify the work of people. And this instills interest in one’s own history, love for one’s native mother land, for parents and loved ones, for one’s neighbor and for one’s fraternal peoples...
Literature helps and supports a person in difficult times life path, inspires one to perform heroic deeds for the sake of one’s neighbors and for the sake of others, gives strength to overcome various everyday troubles, guides and orients one on the path to the correct solution of important problems. at the moment problems. This is precisely why it is valuable for us and for each nation separately.
Thus, the role of literature at all times and in modern times is to help a person understand himself and the world around him, to awaken in him the desire for truth, happiness, to teach respect for the past, for knowledge and moral principles passed on from generation to generation. Whether or not to take advantage of this opportunity that books provide is a personal choice for each person.

Reading is an important part human life. This is an easy way to keep your mind clear for many years. A person familiar with a large number literature of various genres, has a broader outlook, develops his brain. Often schoolchildren receive homework- write an essay in which you give arguments in favor of this activity.

Essay goals

Why do Russian language teachers include tasks of this kind in their students’ homework? In the process of writing, the student must provide compelling arguments for each thesis. The role of literature in human life is a broad topic that allows us to once again refresh our memory of the evidence that confirms the importance of reading in modern life. People XXI century, it is much easier to come home and sit down at the computer or TV than to start reading a book.

Everyone understands that such an attitude contributes to mental degradation. However, for some reason, many still prefer other activities to books. A student can try to write an essay that will be designed to convince the reader of the importance of the role of literature in human life. The arguments that the student will use can be taken from a variety of sources: everyday life, cases with old acquaintances, personal experience. The main thing is that this or that idea must be proven or explained. And of course, do not forget about such important points as spelling, punctuation, and writing style.

Understand yourself

Reading various literature, watching how the plot of a book develops, people, willy-nilly, begin to think about serious issues of our existence. After all, it is for this purpose that great works were written - they help the reader to focus on a specific problem that a person may encounter. By observing how characters behave, the reader learns to identify and everyday life to some extent predict their actions.

It often happens that the writer himself, at some stage of his life, experienced certain difficulties and decided to pass on his experience to subsequent generations through a novel, play, short story or short story. The role of poetry is no less important - by reading poems, a person can feel the poet’s mood, his worldview at a certain point in time. And sometimes poetry also has healing power. For example, reading poems about difficult times, a person feels that he is not alone in his problems, that once before him people faced similar difficulties.

The role of literature in human life: arguments

So why is it so important to remember the importance of reading in this day and age? Many people will like this thesis: reading books can relieve stress. It takes the reader to another world, where he can escape from everyday problems and plunge into a new atmosphere for a while. Today, a very large number of people suffer from constant stress. And this plus of reading will be appreciated by those who are already tired of thinking about endless problems every day.

Psychological benefits

Another interesting argument for the role fiction in a person's life. Scientists have proven that we age when our brain ages. That is why reading can even slow down time a little and “postpone old age.” After all, devoting time to literature, a person is forced to think, draw conclusions, and understand the meaning of what is described in the book. And the additional load on the brain has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the entire body.

The arguments to the problem of “the role of literature in human life” do not end there. Scientists have found that reading can help good sleep. If a person regularly reads a book at night, his brain will soon perceive this activity as a signal - it’s time to sleep soon. Thanks to reading, people can thus feel more energetic the next morning.

Cons of reading

However, when describing the role of literature in human life, arguments do not necessarily have to prove its benefits. A student may also have the opposite opinion. For example, you can indicate that those who are too keen on reading can use this activity to ignore difficulties real life. Behind tons of literature in this case there is a common fear of reality. Of course, a person always learns something new from books. But you cannot learn everything with the help of literature. People gain most of their experience by interacting with reality. Here you need to follow the principle - “everything should be in moderation.”

The role of the teacher

The role of a literature teacher in a person’s life is also great. Most likely, each student will bring arguments here from his own experience. After all, a literature teacher is the one who introduces the class to the works of the great classics and helps them better understand the meaning that writers and poets wanted to convey to their descendants through their creations. In a sense, a literature teacher is the first psychotherapist a person encounters in his life. After all, it is he who introduces schoolchildren to the world of people and all the diversity of relationships between them.